With spaces in Switzerland, the USA, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, and Hong Kong, our client is home to innovative and pioneering exhibitions across a variety of genres, has helped foster the careers of some of the most influential artists of our time, and has grown over the past three decades into one of the leading galleries in the world. As an employer, they strive to be pioneering, collaborative, and responsible – always on the lookout to work with talented and passionate people. An excellent opportunity has arisen in Zurich, Switzerland (or London, UK), as follows
Productivity. Simplicity. Efficiency. The Chief People Officer (CPO) will be at the forefront of shaping the organization's internal culture while driving talent management initiatives and contributing significantly to its ongoing global success. The CPO delivers proficient strategic and technical HR guidance to empower management to effectively oversee their workforce, drive organizational change, and achieve business objectives. This role reports to the CEO. Being responsible for leading global HR, diversity, and inclusion efforts, the CPO plays a critical role in shaping the culture by leading initiatives to recruit, develop, and motivate employees while fostering a great workplace environment. A key to success will be highly effective relationship building and influencing to deliver change. This significant role requires deep business acumen and proven HR ground skills. Alongside a big-picture vision, it is important that the new job holder has a strong focus on execution. The CPO must reside in or be willing to relocate to either Zurich or London and be eligible to work in these locations. German and English fluency are mandatory. The role includes moderate travel, including regular stays in the UK, the USA, and Asia.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
- Managing the People & Culture team and employees across the regions at every level.
- Leading, developing, executing a People & Culture strategy; being a positive enabler of transformation and change.
- Leading and continuing to evolve an established and credible People & Culture team, ensuring it has the resources to deliver efficient solutions to the business.
- Driving individual and organizational development initiatives. Mapping out succession planning, recruitment strategies, and onboarding toolkits.
- Overseeing daily operations, including a review of structure and operational processes to ensure a coherent employer brand, effectiveness, and efficiency.
- Acting as a business partner to the CEO and the executive team to implement people management strategies aligned with business goals.
- Leading the talent agenda, including responsibility for recruiting key staff in global locations.
- Developing a talent strategy, including defining a succession plan, implementing a program to nurture talents, and guiding the leadership team on best practices.
- Managing the employee cost base in terms of headcount and associated costs, as well as all talent management and acquisition planning.
- Enhancing the organization as an employer brand; promoting the business as a great workplace for employees/public.
- Implementing processes to ensure continuous feedback from employees at every level of the business, guiding best practices in employee wellbeing.
- Overseeing the development of a companywide culture within the business underpinned by company values, with responsibility for monitoring and reviewing daily practices.
- Improving the organization's people programs, processes, and systems, such as performance and reward management, learning and development, employee relations, remuneration (including pay review), and benefits.
Key Qualifications
- B.A. and professional qualifications in Human Resources, e.g., MBA or MAS Human Resources Management, HR Strategy & Leadership, DEI programs, or similar.
- Solid experience within HR, in-depth knowledge of HR policies, procedures, talent management, and best practices, preferably in non-corporate environments in an entrepreneurial, innovative, fast-paced, customer-centric setting.
- Attuned to European culture with global exposure, particularly experience in the USA and UK; understanding of working within and managing globally dispersed teams.
- A genuine interest in and commitment to acquiring relevant knowledge is essential, although specific art market knowledge is not mandatory.
- Language fluency in German and English, and ideally French, Spanish, or Italian.
- Digitally savvy, with experience embracing technology and the best use of data.
- Inspired by the opportunity to work within a private business, build trust and relationships, and be flexible across strategic and operational requirements, you will have worked in environments where you've had to roll up your sleeves and be distinctly hands-on in the design and delivery of HR initiatives.
Role-specific Skills
- Entrepreneurial leadership, hands-on; willingness to engage in varying scope and complexity, prioritizing the organization's interests.
- Resilience, mental agility, flexibility, and a willingness to readjust to changing priorities are key to adapting to a dynamic environment.
- Motivated to drive cultural change by influencing values and behaviors throughout the organization.
- Capable of developing and implementing talent management strategies to enhance workforce growth.
- Empathetic and compassionate, with a growth mindset, understanding the nuances of world cultures, and a healthy degree of kindness.
- Ability to get people fully engaged in their roles and set them up for success. Must be an innovator rather than a traditional HR professional.
- Passionate about promoting the growth of others; proactive approach to coaching, nurturing, and providing feedback.
- Ambitious and solution-driven; capable of handling complexity and change; get things done through influence.
- Personal impact and gravitas, with nuanced communication skills and a talent for building strong relationships and working collaboratively to deliver success.
- A collaborator at heart who will proactively remove silos and partner across the business to build a winning employee experience.
- Not afraid to challenge the status quo with a future-focused mindset to drive innovation.
Work & Leadership Style
- Pragmatic and practical, energetic and hardworking, able to spot challenges and map out a vision.
- Low ego and strong EQ, building and engendering trust by operating with an open, supportive style.
- Fostering an environment that breaks down barriers and embodies a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Collegial but able to express opinions and challenge others where required.
- Promote constant creativity and innovation to drive improvement and maintain leading-edge performance (dream big and make them a reality).
Our client is proud of their welcoming and accommodating working environment and strives for a great workplace. You can expect competitive remuneration and access to a bonus scheme. If you're excited about working for our client and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, please apply. Our client believes strongly in the value of diversity and creating supportive, inclusive environments where people can succeed. Please submit your resume and a cover letter to the attention of Thomas Landolt, quoting «CPO» to apply@barnickelfellows.ch
Barnickel & Fellows | Talstrasse 58 | CH-8001 Zürich | +41 44 243 86 68